I've only traveled outside N. America once, to Ireland two years ago. This summer, I'm planning at trip from Seattle to London, then train and ferry to Dublin, then air flight to Newfoundland, then back home.
For the interim stops (Dublin, Newfoundland--coming from and into countries that are not my own) is there anything I need to know or do differently to get through customs, or whatever? Or do I just get in the line they send me to and show my passport when asked?
Best, David.
Between the UK and Ireland there is no customs (because they are both in the EU), and usually no passport checks (they have a "Common Travel Area").
In Newfoundland, is that a through booking? (in which you stay "airside" and do not go through customs or immigration), or are you leaving the airport there? in which case customs or immigration (passport checks) will apply.
None of your countries require a visa for American citizens to enter as a short-stay tourist, so you do just show up and show your passport. They will ask the purpose of your visit and other questions. There are time limits for how long you can stay in any country, I believe 90 days for UK+Ireland. See also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-documents.
"do I just get in the line they send me to and show my passport when asked?"
Yes, that's it. Just follow the signs as appropriate (eg, connecting flights vs arrivals), and do what everyone else is doing.
One wrinkle; for most nonstop flights from Canada to the US, you do "preclearance," meaning you go through US immigration and customs in the Canadian airport. Your arrival in the US is then like a domestic arrival, with no formalities upon arrival. These flights are called "transborder" and use a different section of the airport than "domestic" or "international" ones. If you are changing planes in Canada from domestic to transborder (for instance, if you're flying from St. Johns through Toronto to Seattle), allow enough time for this.
David,
Just curious, are you using a WestJet flight from Dublin to St. John's? I don't believe there is any U.S. Customs office at YYT, so you'll probably deal with CBP at your first airport in the U.S. I'm sure the procedure will become clear as soon as you land in Newfoundland, as the staff will tell be directing you.
How are you getting from Newfoundland back to Seattle?
The UK and Ireland are not part of the Schengen Agreement which means that you need to show your passport when entering the rest of Europe.
I have only ever flown into Ireland and I have a European passport, but the airlines require identification to travel and as you are not European, the UK will need to ensure that you are leaving, so you will need to show your passport, presumably! When flying, you are offered an immigration form to fill in, which presumably the ferry companies will have. You will them just queue to get into Ireland off the boat.
Others have covered the Ireland - US part of your journey.
In 2011, we flew from the US to London Heathrow, then transferred planes and flew to Shannon Airport in Ireland. We had to line up for a passport check, and they even stamped out passport (which doesn't seem to happen much anymore). It's a small airport and that was 4 years ago, so Dublin in 2015 might be different. Not sure where you were flying from 2 years ago, or at which airport in Ireland you arrived, but I suspect your experience will be similar.
